Image copyright Oskar Kihlborg/www.kihlborg.se
by Rikard Björk
The race machine Ran run rapidly in ÅF Offshore Race 2011. The 72 feet long racer was the first to cross finishing line and got line honour. The winds who used to be friendly to ÅF Offshore Race throughout the years, have betrayed us this time. With exception of the start four days ago, the winds have been very weak and changing.
Image copyright Oskar Kihlborg/www.kihlborg.se
Throughout the race, oldtimer Wasa 55 Vindile has been leading the field as first boat. Vindile is a boat with a particular history, built some 30 years ago in Gothenburg. New owners have however made a spectacular job of transforming the former cruising boat into a real nasty two time winner, 2007 and 2010. In Sandhamn, Ran was the only boat Vindile had in front of them.
Image copyright Oskar Kihlborg/www.kihlborg.se
Image copyright Oskar Kihlborg/www.kihlborg.se
The race within the race, between the two TP 52: s Reg and Datacom-Lindahl was won by the latter with the experienced skipper Ralf Aspholm.
Image copyright Oskar Kihlborg/www.kihlborg.se
Image copyright Oskar Kihlborg/www.kihlborg.se
The well known Round Gotland sailing race is probably one of the world´s largest offshore races. This year, the 74th race since 1937, the race has changed it´s racing course and is launching Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, as starting point. Through the initiative of the new title sponsor, the tech consultancy ÅF, arranging yacht club KSSS (Royal Swedish Yacht Club) launched Stockholm as a test starting cite for three sailing classes this year. Some 30 boats lined up yesterday midday in shining, sunny weather and a slow 5-7 m breeze, before tens of thousands of onlooking spectators and foreign tourists. Sailors, arrangers and the public were all in agreement that through the launch of this race here, Stockholm has created another world class event. The ambition for next year is to have all classes, supposedly including more than 300 plus boats, starting from Stockholm.
Image copyright Oskar Kihlborg/www.kihlborg.se
Image copyright Oskar Kihlborg/www.kihlborg.se
This race is truly international and this year we find more than 60 boats and/or teams from Finland, Norway, Lithuania, Germany, France, Great Britain, Russia and Switzerland. Among the crews we find established sailors and businessmen as well as a complete Australian female team.
ÅF Offshore Race Round Gotland
